Business Research

$2.16 million... Estimated economic impact from out-of-town visitors to the Florida Derby Gulfstream Park 72%... Broward County Transit riders who have household incomes less than $25,000 Broward County Transit 2.34... Average household size in Palm Beach County in 1999 University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research

Floridians are feeling as upbeat this month as they did before the Great Recession pummeled the state, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday. Floridians' overall economic confidence rose in March to a level -- 81-- seen before hard times hit the state in December 2007, said Chris McCarty, director of UF's Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, which conducts the monthly consumer survey. Last May and June, Floridians' reached the same post-recession optimism before retreating amid concerns over an economic slowdown and Washington fighting over the budget and debt limit.

Floridians emerged more upbeat about the economy and their own finances in November after five months of dropping consumer confidence, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday. Consumer sentiment throughout the state especially recovered from last month's drop -- rising to 76 in November from the revised reading of 70 in October -- after the federal government shutdown ended, said Chris McCarty, director of UF's Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

April 1, 2009 April 1, 2010 Gain-loss Florida 18.77 million 18.77 million +23,000 Miami-Dade County 2,472,344 2,476,300 +3,956 Palm Beach County 1,287,344 1,286,800 -544 Broward County 1,744,922 1,742,900 -2,022 Source: University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research

Consumer confidence rose in Florida three points to 65 in March, a University of Florida survey says. But don't let that little uptick fool you. "Until there is a clear message that things are changing for the better, we expect consumer confidence to continue to move up and down as conflicting economic news trickles in," said Chris McCarty, director of UF's Survey Research Center at the Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

South Floridians are more optimistic about the outlook for their personal financial situation a year from now than residents of other parts of the state, according to a September survey by the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The region is looking up, while areas such as Tampa and Orlando are looking down, the consumer poll found. Chris McCarty, survey director, attributed the rise locally to perceptions of the strength of the U.S. economy and people's brightened view of their own finances.

Floridians' confidence in the economy fell this month to a two-year low as they have become more anxious about their own financial situation and the nation's, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday. The state's consumer confidence index dropped "sharply" in October to 71, falling seven points from last month, said Chris McCarty, director of UF's Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research. It was the fifth straight month that Floridians' confidence has fallen after spirits had risen to post-recession highs with the state seeming to rebound strongly in the spring.

Florida's consumer confidence continued to decline in September for a fourth month, although the drop was slight, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday. Floridians' overall mood this month was down only a point to 76, said Chris McCarty, director of UF's Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research. But their faith in the national economy over the next five years dropped the most -- down six points this month to 72, he said.

Floridians remain more pessimistic about the economy after four months of rising spirits this spring, according to the University of Florida survey released Tuesday. The state's consumer confidence level was unchanged in August, matching July's revised reading of 77, according to a statewide survey of 415 Floridians earlier this month. July's drop was the first time confidence had declined in South Florida after four months of increases. But consumer confidence this summer was still higher than at the first of the year.

Floridians' confidence in the economy continues to grow as a statewide consumer survey hit highs not seen since before the Great Recession, the University of Florida announced Tuesday. Consumer confidence in Florida rose one point in June to 82, a post-recession high, said Chris McCarty, director of UF's Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research. "The last time perception of current buying conditions reached this level was April of 2007" - eight months before the Great Recession officially started, said McCarty in a written statement.

Floridians' consumer confidence dropped slightly in February after two months of rising optimism, according to a University of Florida survey released Tuesday. Consumer confidence in Florida dropped a point this month to 76. "The pattern of consumer confidence in Florida over the last three months is exactly the same as it was a year ago," said Chris McCarty, director of UF's Survey Research Center in the Bureau of Economic and Business Research. "From December 2010 to February 2011, the overall level of confidence went from 70 to 77, then 76, the same as this year.

Posted by Harriet Brackey on August 25, 2009 07:04 PM, August 25, 2009

Consumer expectations for the future are turning positive, showing the most improvement since the recession began ? even in Florida, one of the hardest hit states. Rising home sales, stock market gains and no economic setbacks on the horizon have lifted consumer spirits, according to a University of Florida survey. The index of Florida?s consumer confidence rose three points to 70 in August. It was the first increase since April. ?We are not out of this recession yet, particularly here in Florida, but things are not nearly as bad as they were a year ago,?